KOCHI: Controversial decisions taken by the Oommen Chandy government, which were outside the agenda, in the final days of its term appear to have contributed to defeat of the UDF in the Assembly election, said Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala here on Tuesday.
At a meet-the-press programme organised by the Ernakulam Press Club, Chennithala said the UDF Government had failed to explain the rationale of some of its decisions to the people. “While looking back, we feel that decisions taken on matters outside the government’s agenda were not righteous,” he said. However, he declined to comment when asked who influenced ministers to present such matters before the Cabinet.
Chennithala, meanwhile, alleged that the present government was under control of the party.
“The recent statements of CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan reveals beyond doubt that the party would be the ‘power centre’ of the LDF rule. The government in its initial days itself transferred hundreds of government officials and policemen without valid reason. Transferring officials at the time of school reopening has caused severe hardships to their families and affected children’s education,” said Chennithala, and urged the Pinarayi-led government to stop politically motivated mass transfer of government employees.
Referring to Chief Ministers Pinarayi Vijayan’s instruction to government officials to maintain good manners, Chennithala said the CM should first advise Minister E P Jayarajan to behave properly.
“Recently, there were reports of Cooperation Minister A C Moideen and Shornur MLA P K Sasi behaving rudely with the police in public. Before advising government officials, the Chief Minister should address such issues first,” said the former Home Minister, and alleged that the CPM-BJP nexus was attempting to create communal consolidation in the State.
“The statistics of vote share proves the nexus. The Congress is the common opponent of both the parties,” he said, adding that 50 top leaders of the Congress had been summoned by the AICC to review the election results in Kerala.
“The UDF will take corrective steps, and make a comeback in the 2019 Lok Sabha election,” he said.